Is it worth getting lower profile tyres for trackdays?
Discussion
Hi, right now I'm running an MX5 with 2 sets of wheels, one for trackdays, the other set for road use.
Now the standard size tyres are 205/50/R16, and my current track tyres are almost down the the canvas, so need some replacements.
I'm probably going to get 595 RSR's, and these can be had in 205/50/R16 or 205/45/R16, now I'm tempted to go for the 205/45/R16's as I thought less sidewall would give sharper handling in the dry.
Is there any good reason not to go for the 45 profile tyres here? I know the speedo will overread a little, and the price between the two sizes next to nothing, so what would you choose given these circumstances?
Also are there any other tyres worth checking out in this size? R888's only come in the 205/55/R16, R888R's come in 205/50/R16, but are almost 3 times the cost of the 595's right now, and I doubt that they'll give 3 times the performance, but I'm just assuming this. Are there any other I should add to my shortlist?
Now the standard size tyres are 205/50/R16, and my current track tyres are almost down the the canvas, so need some replacements.
I'm probably going to get 595 RSR's, and these can be had in 205/50/R16 or 205/45/R16, now I'm tempted to go for the 205/45/R16's as I thought less sidewall would give sharper handling in the dry.
Is there any good reason not to go for the 45 profile tyres here? I know the speedo will overread a little, and the price between the two sizes next to nothing, so what would you choose given these circumstances?
Also are there any other tyres worth checking out in this size? R888's only come in the 205/55/R16, R888R's come in 205/50/R16, but are almost 3 times the cost of the 595's right now, and I doubt that they'll give 3 times the performance, but I'm just assuming this. Are there any other I should add to my shortlist?
Edited by HypnoToad on Wednesday 1st June 16:12
It's such a tiny difference it will do next to nothing. Unless they're truly massive the sidewall profile isn't really all that that much of an issue on track as long as the sidewalls aren't all flobbery, and they certainly aren't on the RSR.
Have a look at the Nankang NS-2R, but make sure you get the track compound and not the road compound. They seem to be about the most highly rated budget track tyre at the moment.
Have a look at the Nankang NS-2R, but make sure you get the track compound and not the road compound. They seem to be about the most highly rated budget track tyre at the moment.
charltjr said:
It's such a tiny difference it will do next to nothing. Unless they're truly massive the sidewall profile isn't really all that that much of an issue on track as long as the sidewalls aren't all flobbery, and they certainly aren't on the RSR.
Have a look at the Nankang NS-2R, but make sure you get the track compound and not the road compound. They seem to be about the most highly rated budget track tyre at the moment.
Thanks I've had a look at the NS-2R and it does look good, in fact I think I may go for these over the RSR's if I find someone with the 120 (track) version in stock.Have a look at the Nankang NS-2R, but make sure you get the track compound and not the road compound. They seem to be about the most highly rated budget track tyre at the moment.
CABC said:
Why such big tyres?
I'd choose 195 on 15x7" wheels. Keep everything light and playful.
MX5 more sensitive than many cars to bad choice of wheel & tyre.
What wheels do you have? Know their weight?
They are the stock 16 inch alloys that came with the car. I found them on this site:I'd choose 195 on 15x7" wheels. Keep everything light and playful.
MX5 more sensitive than many cars to bad choice of wheel & tyre.
What wheels do you have? Know their weight?
http://www.jason-parker.net/images/wheels.htm
They're around 2/3 of the way down, called '2006-2008 16" alloy', it says 6.8kg so they're around 1kg lighter than the 17"'s, but I don't know if this is considered heavy or not.
I don't think 15's are avaliable for my car, and if they were then they may not clear the calipers, but I'll keep an eye out for some, it would be nice to try some lighter wheels.
Edited by HypnoToad on Wednesday 1st June 21:25
HypnoToad said:
They are the stock 16 inch alloys that came with the car. I found them on this site:
http://www.jason-parker.net/images/wheels.htm
They're around 2/3 of the way down, called '2006-2008 16" alloy', it says 6.8kg so they're around 1kg lighter than the 17"'s, but I don't know if this is considered heavy or not.
I don't think 15's are avaliable for my car, and if they were then they may not clear the calipers, but I'll keep an eye out for some, it would be nice to try some lighter wheels.
ah, so you have a MK3.http://www.jason-parker.net/images/wheels.htm
They're around 2/3 of the way down, called '2006-2008 16" alloy', it says 6.8kg so they're around 1kg lighter than the 17"'s, but I don't know if this is considered heavy or not.
I don't think 15's are avaliable for my car, and if they were then they may not clear the calipers, but I'll keep an eye out for some, it would be nice to try some lighter wheels.
Edited by HypnoToad on Wednesday 1st June 21:25
6.8 isn't too heavy, but if you ever got the chance to try a wheel another Kg lighter you could judge for yourself, it would show on a spirited drive.
smaller wheels also means less tyre weight too. Off course, they look wimpy in the arches!
More importantly, as yours is an early mk3, have you had the ride height corrected? those came with suv ride height that ruined the car, but it's easily fixed. easily googled.
to answer original question, i'd focus on the set up first.
Good luck
The stiffness of the sidewalls also has an effect here.
I have run RSRs on a TVR and loved them, but I do remember that they have quite a low load rating (the 83 or 87 or whatever before the speed rating - W or Y or whatever), which makes them a softer ride.
So much so that I never had to soften the dampers down from rock hard to drive home, whereas forgetting to soften the same dampers with R888s on (92 load rating) used to shake my fillings out within 5 miles of leaving Cadwell Park.
I have run RSRs on a TVR and loved them, but I do remember that they have quite a low load rating (the 83 or 87 or whatever before the speed rating - W or Y or whatever), which makes them a softer ride.
So much so that I never had to soften the dampers down from rock hard to drive home, whereas forgetting to soften the same dampers with R888s on (92 load rating) used to shake my fillings out within 5 miles of leaving Cadwell Park.
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